Fall arrest roof mount anchor

ABSTRACT

A fall arrest roof mount anchor is designed to secure construction and maintenance personnel working at heights, utilising harness and lanyard fall protection equipment. The roof mount anchor comprises a mounting plate having a uniform cross-section defining a raised central portion and side portions for roof attachment. The raised central portion has a swivel eye anchor point for attachment of conventional height safety harness hardware.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a fall arrest roof mount anchor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fall arrest roof mount anchors are used for industry applicationsinvolving high fall risk, to secure harnessed construction andmaintenance personnel working at heights on buildings and structures.

These height safety anchors may comprise a formed aluminium extrusionmounting plate which is permanently affixed to a roof profile surface,and which exposes a swivel eye anchor point for attachment of acarabiner, lanyard and other conventional harness hardware.

The present invention seeks to provide a fall arrest roof mount anchorwhich will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of thedeficiencies of the prior art, or at least to provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that theinformation forms part of the common general knowledge in the art,either in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

There is provided herein a fall arrest roof mount anchor ideally suitedto construction and maintenance personnel working at heights, utilisinga harness and lanyard fall protection equipment.

The fall arrest roof mount anchor has a mounting plate having a uniformcross-section defining a raised central portion and side portions forroof attachment.

The raised central portion has a swivel eye anchor point.

The mounting plate further comprises channel wall portions projectingfrom an under surface of the raised central portion thereby defining anintegrally formed channel therebetween, which runs longitudinally alongthe under surface of the raised central portion and coincides with theswivel eye anchor point.

The uniform cross-section and the under channel enhance shear forceresilience and flexural stiffness to lateral applied strain, especiallywhen applied along a longitudinal axis of the channel. The under channelcoincides with the swivel eye anchor point, thereby maximising the shearforce resilience conferred by the under channel at the point of fallarrest loading.

As such, the present roof mount anchor may be structurally resilient yetlightweight. For example, an aluminium extrusion embodiment of thepresent anchor may be rated to 15 kN yet only weigh 800 g.

The under channel may further be configured to conveniently capture alocknut of an anchor bolt whilst yet allowing a distal end of the anchorbolt to extend therebetween.

The roof attachment side portions may comprise a plurality of rivetfastener holes which collocate along a length of the horizontal axis andare spaced rows in across the horizontal axis. Spacing of the rivetfastener holes along the rows accommodate specific crest-to-crestdimensions of various roof profile surfaces, wherein the rivet fastenersare spaced apart in at least two intervals of 14 mm, 28 mm, 42 mm, 230mm, 245 mm and 274 mm from an edge of each roof attachment side portionof the mounting plate.

As such, the connection of the side portions of the mounting plateacross two roof profile ribs dissipates the load over a greater area andenhances fall arrest rated performance. Furthermore, installation acrosstwo ribs prevents or reduces potential for roof sheet delamination,which could occur when a roof mount is fixed with rivets to one roofsheet only.

The roof mount anchor may incorporate a unique energy absorbing swiveleye lanyard attachment point, eliminating carabiner out and providinguniform load distribution to the mounting plate in a fall arrestsituation. The increased energy absorption properties and ability to beinstalled across two roof sheets allows fixture to lighter structuresand roof decks.

Specifically, the mounting plate may comprise a matrix of elongatestress relief cut-outs surrounding the swivel eye anchor point. Thestress relief cut-outs may arc concentrically around the swivel eyeanchor point, and the ends of radially adjacent stress relief cut-outsmay overlap.

This unique energy deforming matrix arrangement allows the mountingplate to flex around the swivel eye anchor point, thereby dissipatingenergy in a shock load situation without compromising the structuralintegrity of the remainder of the mounting plate.

The swivel eye anchor point may comprise a lanyard connector attached tothe centre of the raised central portion arch apex. The lanyardconnector may have an anchor connection aperture being elongate along astrain absorbing axis through proximal and distal ends of the lanyardconnector, and wherein the anchor connection aperture has a curved frailweb across the strain absorbing axis and wherein the frail web isorientated with an apex towards the anchor bolt.

The curved frail web and the inverse orientation thereof are designed toabsorb energy and reduce shock impact on the user, whilst also providinga visual indicator of abnormal loading (such as in excess of 7 kN),which is useful when undertaking routine inspection of the fall arrestsystem. The inverse orientation in particular provides improved visualindication of gradual energy absorption deformation, as compared to theopposite orientation.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a fall arrest roof mount anchor inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a uniform vertical cross-section view of the roof mountanchor;

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the roof mount anchor;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a lanyard connector of the roof mountanchor;

FIG. 5 shows a detail view of an anchor connection aperture of thelanyard connector in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of the lanyard connector having exemplarydimensions;

FIG. 7 shows a symmetrical left and right side view of the lanyardconnector having exemplary dimensions;

FIG. 8 shows a raised distal end view of the lanyard connector havingexemplary dimensions;

FIG. 9 shows a uniform vertical cross-section view of a mounting plateof the roof mount anchor having exemplary dimensions;

FIG. 10 shows a detail view of the anchor connection aperture of FIG. 5having exemplary dimensions;

FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of the mounting plate of the roof mountanchor having exemplary dimensions; and

FIG. 12 shows a lanyard connector according to a further embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a fall arrest roof mount anchor 100has a mounting plate 101 having a uniform cross-section along a lengthof a horizontal axis 102 thereof. The cross-section defines a raisedcentral portion 103 and roof attachment side portions 104.

The mounting plate 101 may preferably be metallic and further preferablyaluminium and manufactured using an extrusion process.

The mounting plate preferably curves smoothly between the side portions104 and the raised central portion 103, thereby eliminating sharptransitions and/or planar surfaces which could compromise flexuralstiffness. The roof attachment side portions 104 are coplanar so as tolie flat on the roof surface or cross ribs thereof. Exemplary dimensionsare given in FIG. 9 wherein the mounting plate 101 may have a lowprofile height of less than 30 mm, such as approximately 25 mm which tomaintain shear force resilience and flexural stiffness.

The mounting plate 101 may comprise an integrally formed channel 105running longitudinally along an under-surface of the raised centralportion 103. The channel 105 confers flexural stiffness to the raisedcentral portion 103. As further illustrated in FIG. 1 , the channel 105may capture a locknut 107 of an anchor bolt 108.

Specifically, the mounting plate 101 may further comprise channel wallportions 106 (which are independent of the raised central portion 103and side portions 104) which define the channel 105. The channel wallportions 106 may be parallel thereby defining parallel inner surfaces,and spaced to accommodate a minimum diameter of the locknut 107 andthereby to non-rotatably capture the locknut 107 within the channel 105.

Furthermore, the channel 105 may accommodate a central anchor pointconnection hole 112 along the length thereof, allowing a distal end ofthe anchor bolt 108 to protrude therethrough as shown in FIG. 2 .Specifically, the channel 105 may further comprise inwardly projectingflange portions 109 from respective distal ends of the channel wallportions 106. The flange portions 109 may support the locknut 107 withinthe channel 105 whilst allowing a distal end of the anchor bolt 108 toextend therebetween.

The mounting plate 101 may be configured for installation along adjacentribs of a roof profile surface, and/or wherein the horizontal axis 102aligns along the pitch of the roof, or at least orientates towards anedge of the roof.

With reference to FIG. 3 , the roof attachment side portions 104 maycomprise a plurality of rivet fastener holes 124. The rivet fastenerholes 124 may run in spaced rows 125 across the horizontal axis 102. Therows 125 may have rivet fastener hole spacings suited for specific roofprofile crest-to-crest widths. With reference to FIG. 1 , the rivetfastener holes 124 in the rows 125 may be spaced apart in at least twointervals of 14 mm, 28 mm, 42 mm, 230 mm, 245 mm and 274 mm, from anedge of a roof attachment side 104 of the mounting plate 101.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the mounting plate 101 comprisesthree rows 125, however in embodiments, a mounting plate 101 having adifferent number of rows 125 is contemplated, including an embodimentwherein the mounting plate 101 has four rows 125.

The roof mount anchor 100 may comprise mounting pads 126 preferably ofrubber material, which engage under each roof attachment side 104 of themounting plate 101. The mounting pads 126 may comprise a plurality offastener holes 127 which collocate with the rivet fastener holes 124 ofthe mounting plate 101.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the mounting plate 101 may further splaylongitudinally along the horizontal axis 102 towards both ends thereof.

The roof mount anchor 100 may further comprise a lanyard connector 110attached to an apex of the raised central portion 103. With reference toFIG. 4 , the lanyard connector 110 may define an anchor connectionaperture 111 for swivel engagement by the anchor bolt 108 at a proximalend 113 thereof. The mounting plate 101 may accordingly comprise acentral anchor point connection hole 112 for the anchor bolt 108.

The lanyard connector 110 may define an eyelet 114 towards a distal end115 thereof, through which a carabiner or the like may attach a lanyardfor tethering a user thereto.

The lanyard connector 110 may comprise a swivel eye anchor plate 116which bends upwardly towards the distal end 115. The eyelet 114 maytransition across the upwardly bent distal end 115.

With reference to FIG. 5 , the anchor connection aperture 111 may beelongate along a strain absorbing axis 117 through the proximal end 113and distal end 115 of the lanyard connector 110. The lanyard connector110 may have an integrally formed primary frail web 118 across thestrain absorbing axis 117. When strain is applied to the eyelet 114 ofthe lanyard connector 110, a resultant dynamic force is applied by theanchor bolt 108 against the primary frail web 118.

The anchor connection aperture 111 may define a profile open an anchorbolt accommodation portion 119 which accommodates the anchor bolt 108therethrough. The primary frail web 118 is preferably curved across theanchor connection aperture 111. The primary frail web 118 is furtherpreferably inversely orientated so that an apex 120 thereof bearsoppositely against the anchor bolt 108. This arrangement is designedboth to absorb energy and reduce shock impact on the user, whilst alsoproviding visual indication of abnormal loading (such as in excess of 7kN), which is useful when undertaking routine inspection of the fallarrest system

The primary frail web 118 may have an integral seating profile 121 whichsupports the anchor bolt 108 centrally against the primary frail webapex 120. The seating profile 121 may have an opposite curvature to thatof the primary frail web 118.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment wherein the seating profile 121, extendsright to the edges of the anchor bolt cut-out 119 of the anchorconnection aperture 111, thereby not only seating the anchor bolt 108centrally but also reinforcing the primary frail web 118. As such,according to this embodiment, the seating profile 121 may itself deformor fracture when the primary frail web 118 deforms under excessive load.

The primary frail web 118 may have a thickness so as to visibly deformwhen a dynamic force of approximately 7 kN is applied to the lanyardconnector 110. In this regard, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 10 , thelanyard connector 110 may be stainless steel comprising a thickness ofapproximately 3 mm, and the primary frail web 118 width be approximately1.5 mm. The primary frail web 118 may further absorb dynamic shockforces when deforming.

The anchor connection aperture 111 may further comprise an integrallyformed secondary frail web 122 across the strain absorbing axis 117. Thesecondary frail web 122 width may be narrower than the primary frail web118 width, such as being approximately 1 mm as shown in FIG. 10 .

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 , the mounting plate 101 may comprise amatrix 130 of elongate stress relief cut-outs 123 surrounding the swiveleye anchor point. Each stress relief cut-out 123 may arc concentricallyaround the swivel eye anchor point.

Single and pairs of stress relief cut-outs 123 may locate symmetricallyopposite the swivel eye anchor point connection hole 112, and may bearranged at different radial offsets. Furthermore, the stress reliefcut-outs 123 arranged at different radial offsets from the swivel eyeanchor point may overlap concentrically.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specificdetails are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, theforegoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention arepresented for purposes of illustration and description. They are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed, as obviously many modifications and variations are possiblein view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen anddescribed in order to best explain the principles of the invention andits practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the artto best utilise the invention and various embodiments, with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It isintended that the following claims and their equivalents define thescope of the invention.

1. A lanyard connector having an anchor connection aperture beingelongate along a strain absorbing axis through proximal and distal endsof the lanyard connector, and wherein the anchor connection aperture hasan anchor bolt accommodation portion and a curved frail web adjacent tothe anchor bolt accommodation portion and across the strain absorbingaxis, and wherein the frail web is orientated with an apex thereoftowards the anchor bolt accommodation portion.
 2. The anchor as claimedin claim 1, wherein the primary frail web has an integral seatingprofile extending from an apex thereof, which holds an anchor boltwithin the anchor bolt accommodation portion centrally against theprimary frail web apex.
 3. The anchor as claimed in claim 2, wherein theseating profile has an opposite curvature to that of the primary frailweb.
 4. The anchor as further claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchorconnection aperture has an integrally formed secondary frail web acrossthe strain absorbing axis.
 5. The anchor as claimed in claim 4, whereinthe secondary frail web width is narrower than the primary frail webwidth.
 6. The anchor as further claimed in claim 1, wherein the frailweb is configured to deform visibly when a dynamic shock force ofapproximately 7 kN is applied to the lanyard connector.
 7. The anchor asfurther claimed in claim 6, wherein the lanyard connector is stainlesssteel having a thickness of approximately 3 mm, and the primary frailweb having a width of approximately 1.5 mm.